What is myeloma?
Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. It happens most often in adults over the age of 50. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) that protect you against disease. Myeloma is when the bone marrow has a type of immunoglobulin that reproduces uncontrollably. Myeloma cells can disrupt normal blood production and the functioning of the immune system, damage the kidneys, and form into masses.
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In Canada, there was an estimated 3,400 new cases of myeloma in 2020.
You are not alone.
Know that the blood cancer community is here to support you every step of the way.
What happens next?
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Talking to family and friends
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Telling your children
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Speaking with your employer
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Preparing for appointments
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Understanding lab results
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Asking for a second opinion
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Coping with fear, anxiety and stress
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Taking care of your body
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Managing fatigue and cognitive challenges
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Understanding insurance and organizing finances
Resources on myeloma
Myeloma
Learn about Myeloma, how it is diagnosed, an overview of treatments and what happens next.
Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant
Get an overview of what your blood and bone marrow do; understand the different types of stem cell transplants; learn who is eligible for a stem cell transplant; find out how to prepare for a stem cell transplant; learn about recovery.
Understanding clinical trials
Get an overview of clinical trials, understand them, how they are planned, evaluate benefits and risks of participating, address concerns and what to ask.
Watch & Wait (active surveillance)
Learn about the watch and wait approach, understand the benefits and find out what it means for you.
Types of blood cancer treatments
You or your loved one has been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. Cancer treatment can be complex, with different types of treatment options available for some blood cancers. What are they and how do they work? This fact sheet will help you Learn about the different treatment options available, Understand each type of treatment and how it can help, Prepa…
Shared Decision Making: Discussion tool for people with a blood cancer
You or your loved one has been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. You will be making important decisions with your healthcare team.
“I'm still here": Living with multiple myeloma for 12 years
David Johnson, of BC, first diagnosed with the disease in 2012 in his early 50s, has experienced 2 relapses, 2 stem cell transplants, and participated in a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy. Dr. Anthony Reiman, medical oncologist in NB, talks about advances in MM treatment.
Understanding multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma, or MM, is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that normally fights infection, turning healthy cells into cancer cells that can damage blood, bones and kidneys.
Managing Myeloma: Diagnosis, treatments, side effects, etc. / 2023 Myeloma Week
In this webcast, Dr. Anthony Reiman, medical oncologist at Saint John Regional Hospital, will provide an overview on the latest information on the diagnosis, treatments and side effects of myeloma and answer your questions about myeloma.
Managing Multiple Myeloma: How Emerging Therapies Can Help
Dr. Ismail Sharif provides an overview of current and emerging treatment options for multiple myeloma, and share information on how to manage symptoms and treatment-related side effects.
Myeloma Research – What’s new? / 2023 Myeloma Week
In this webcast, Dr. Donna Reece, hematologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University of Toronto, talk about the current and new treatments for myeloma. She is also sharing what is being done to help improve the quality of life myeloma patients.
Why the type of myeloma matters
There are many types of myeloma. Doctors divide myeloma into groups that describe how fast or slowly the disease is progressing. The treatment for myeloma varies according to the type You may find that learning about your diagnosis once you know the type of myeloma involved will help you better understand the disease and its treatment.
Subtypes
Doctors classify myeloma into subtypes by using various tests. The subtype plays a large part in deciding the type of treatment.